Functional Fabric Fair to return to New York City this July

Functional Fabric Fair, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, will return to the Javits Center in New York City, bringing together the textile industry’s most influential professionals and innovators to source, network and learn.

This year’s edition will kick off with the debut of the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop on Monday, July 21, a full-day conference designed to equip participants with critical knowledge and actionable strategies for advancing sustainability in the global textile supply chain. Following Day 0, the exhibition hall will open on July 22 and 23, which will include wide range of sessions open to all attendees at the Expert Talks stage as well sourcing from over 150 sustainable exhibiting companies and networking opportunities.

Day 0 Sustainability Workshop: July 21

Kick off your week with the workshop that’s generating real change across the textile supply chain. The Day 0 Sustainability Workshop is where the future of responsible innovation begins—and if you’re serious about sustainable sourcing, this is the room you need to be in.

Curated by renowned industry experts Jill Dumain, Founding Partner of Fractional CSOs; Todd Copeland, Founder & Owner of Copeland Consultancy LLC and Kevin Myette, Director of Global Brand Services of bluesign technologies— this full-day event delivers unfiltered insights, hands-on learning, and real-world strategies to help you lead with impact.

You’ll walk away with a sharper understanding of:

• Sustainable materials + design
• Supply chain complexity
• Climate action and water use
• Human rights and chemical responsibility
• Circularity, traceability, and more

Open to all attendees, exhibitors, and students—but capacity is limited to keep the experience focused and high-value. Separate registration is required. This is your moment to lead the shift. Don’t sit this one out.

Expert Talks: July 22–23

Sponsored by CovationBio bioPTMEG,

After Day 0, the excitement continues as the exhibit hall opens and the crowd-favorite Expert Talks stage comes to life—welcoming all attendees. Join industry leaders and creative minds as they dive into the future of functional textiles, sharing fresh perspectives on color and trend forecasting, global sourcing, breakthrough innovations, and cutting-edge design.

Expert Talks Highlights

Day 1 – Tuesday, July 22

• “PERFORMANCE COLORS: The Full Picture of Summer 2027” – Nora Kühner, Independent Fashion and Design Consultant
• “The World of Tariffs, Trade, and Sourcing Under Trump 2.0” – Rick Helfenbein, Former Chairman, President & CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

Day 2 – Wednesday, July 23

• “Women for Women's Wear: Is the Future of Sustainable Fashion Female?” – Patricia Langan, Founder, Women for Women's Wear
• “3D Garment Development with Diversity: Matching Avatars to Real Bodies” – Jaime Griggs and Dr. Jan Beringer, Hohenstein

Additional sessions will cover navigating certifications, decoding tariff policy, advancing inclusive innovation, and celebrating women leaders in textiles and fashion.

Special Features & Networking

• Future Fabrics Expo (FFE) Innovation Hub: Functional Fabric Fair proudly joins forces with Future Fabrics Expo to debut the FFE Innovation Hub in New York City. This powerful collaboration brings a curated collection of sustainable, tech-forward suppliers to a dedicated space on the Mezzanine before entering the exhibit hall—spotlighting the latest in responsible sourcing and material innovation. FFE will also take the stage during Expert Talks on Wednesday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m., sharing exclusive insights and driving the sustainability conversation forward.
• Trend Forum: A visual sourcing displays featuring 12 key fabric categories, with exclusive, 100% sustainable fabric samples available via QR code scan and free sample requests.
• Happy Hour: Join the community at the Expert Talks stage, Tuesday, July 22 from 5–6 p.m., sponsored by Sorona.
• AATCC Social in the City: AATCC is pleased to announce its partnership with Functional Fabric Fair and Brookwood Companies to host "Social in the City," taking place on Tuesday, July 22, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Cedric's at the Shed in New York City. This ticket-only gathering offers textile professionals a unique opportunity to connect with peers, industry leaders, and innovators in a relaxed, social setting. Attendees will enjoy complimentary drinks and light refreshments while building valuable connections within the textile community. Interested professionals can secure their tickets by visiting the AATCC booth or Brookwood Companies booth onsite at the fair.
• Complimentary Coffee: Sponsored by Coloro, open daily on the Mezzanine for networking and recharge moments from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m..

“Functional Fabric Fair is committed to providing the foundation the industry needs to thrive—through education, sourcing, and meaningful connections,” said Steve McCullough, Event Vice President. “This year’s program is more relevant than ever, offering real solutions at the intersection of performance, responsibility, innovation, and community.”

Recognized as the premier trade-only sourcing event in the U.S. for high-performance functional fabrics and textile innovation, the Functional Fabric Fair Summer 2025 edition is where the future of performance textiles and fashion design takes shape, will feature more than 150 sustainability-certified suppliers presenting materials and technologies geared toward the Summer 2026/2027 seasons.

This trade-only event is free for verified designers, product developers, purchasing agents, material and sustainability sourcing professionals and students in the outdoor, performance, fashion and lifestyle apparel sectors.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)